San Diego to host public workshops on integrating immigrants, refugees

Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune

Asma Farah, a refugee from Somalia, answers questions in February from students at Bayfront Charter High School during a performance of Intrepid Theatre Company's, Exiled Voices: The Refugee Art Project.

Asma Farah, a refugee from Somalia, answers questions in February from students at Bayfront Charter High School during a performance of Intrepid Theatre Company's, Exiled Voices: The Refugee Art Project. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune)

A group of government, business and community leaders have spearheaded an effort, dubbed Welcoming San Diego, to improve how the region serves its immigrant and refugee populations.

As part of the initiative, the San Diego Unified School District will host a series of community forums starting this week aimed at brainstorming ways to help new Americans more seamlessly integrate, from finding jobs to combating discrimination.

“San Diego benefits from having a vibrant, inclusive and safe binational region that attracts families and businesses,” Joel Day, executive director of the city’s Human Relations Commission and International Affairs Board said in a press statement. “Through the Welcoming San Diego program, we can help immigrants and refugees succeed in their new home, and allow San Diego to continue to flourish.”

The campaign kicked off earlier this year, trumpeting the value of immigrant workers, who are estimated to contribute more than $50 billion a year to the regional economy.

The city of San Diego routinely takes more refugees than anywhere in the state and often leads the way nationally in resettling people from war-torn countries, such as Syria. More than one in five San Diegans is an immigrant.

These events are expected to focus on boosting civic engagement, educational opportunities, access to government services and other topics:

Monday, May 7, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Mira Mesa High School, 10510 Marauder Way

Wednesday, May 9, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Kearny Mesa High School, 1954 Komet Way

Friday, May 11, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Madison High School, 4833 Doliva Drive

Saturday, May 12, from 9 to 11 a.m., at Crawford High School, 4191 Colts Way

Thursday, May 17, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Morse High School, 6905 Skyline Drive

The workshops are part of a broader effort to draft a blueprint to “maximize the contributions of the immigrant and refugee community in San Diego,” according to a news release. Mayor Kevin Faulconer is expected to announce the release of the final document this fall.

Welcoming San Diego includes a diverse partnership from the city of San Diego and the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce to San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium, Alliance San Diego and UC San Diego.

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Because many skilled occupations in the U.S. require licenses and training obtained in the country, refugees and other immigrants with skills and foreign credentials often struggle to find work commensurate with their experience.

Because many skilled occupations in the U.S. require licenses and training obtained in the country, refugees and other immigrants with skills and foreign credentials often struggle to find work commensurate with their experience.